Machine and method for hair or bristle removal

ABSTRACT

Devices and methods for removal of animal hair are provided. The devices and methods can include one or more rotating bodies that form pinch regions for mechanical removal of animal hair.

This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No.13/252,344, filed Oct. 4, 2011, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.§119 of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/389,791,which was filed on Oct. 5, 2010, and all of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

Animal tissues, including animal skin, can be used to produce a varietyof tissue products for patient use. However, the skin of many animalsincludes thick hair or bristles, which must be removed to producecertain products suitable for use in the human body. Because animal hairis often thicker and more strongly bound to animal skin, removal ofanimal hair cannot be easily performed using normal waxes or otherprocedures that are effective for removal of human hair. Further, in thefood industry, relatively high-temperature processes (e.g., exposure tohot water) are used to remove animal hair, but because the hightemperatures may alter the extracellular matrix of the tissues, suchprocesses may not be suitable for removal of hair from tissues destinedfor use in medical or surgical tissue products.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved methods for removal of hair orbristles from animal skin for production of medical devices such asacellular tissue matrices.

SUMMARY

According to certain embodiments, a device for removal of hair orbristles from an animal is provided. The device comprises a firstcylindrical body having a longitudinal axis and a second cylindricalbody having a longitudinal axis, wherein the first cylindrical body andsecond cylindrical body are positioned proximate to one another and canrotate about their respective longitudinal axes in opposite directions.The device further comprises at least one flexible sheet of materialwrapped about a portion of the first cylindrical body in a firstdirection relative to the longitudinal axes of the cylindrical bodiesand also wrapped about a portion of the second cylindrical body in asecond direction opposite the first direction such that as the firstcylindrical body rotates in the first direction and the secondcylindrical body rotates in the second direction, an elongated pinchpoint is formed between the flexible sheet and the second cylindricalbody.

According to certain embodiments, a device for removal of hair orbristles from an animal is provided. The device comprises a firstcylindrical body having a longitudinal axis and a second cylindricalbody having a longitudinal axis, wherein the first cylindrical body andsecond cylindrical body are positioned proximate to one another and canrotate about their respective longitudinal axes in opposite directions.The device further comprises a first flexible sheet of material wrappedabout a portion of the first cylindrical body and a second flexiblesheet of material wrapped about a portion of the second cylindricalbody, wherein the first flexible sheet and second flexible haveinterlocking textured surfaces that form an elongated pinch point toproduce a pulling force on an object positioned between the first andsecond cylindrical bodies as the first and second cylindrical bodiesrotate in opposite directions about their respective longitudinal axes.

According to certain embodiments, a device for removal of hair orbristles from an animal is provided. The device comprises a guide memberhaving a substantially flat, rigid lower surface, and a leading forwardedge, the leading forward edge having a bottom portion comprising asharp angle and a top portion comprising a blunt curve directed awayfrom the leading forward edge. The device further comprises at least onegripping surface, wherein the gripping surface is rotatably mobile suchthat the gripping surface passes proximate to the blunt curve to form apinch region between a top surface of the guide member and the grippingsurface.

According to certain embodiments, a device suitable for removal of hairor bristles from animal skin is provided. The device comprising a firstcylindrical body; a second cylindrical body wherein the firstcylindrical body and second cylindrical body are positioned proximate toone another such that they are able to form an elongated pinch point toproduce a pulling force on an object positioned between the first andsecond cylindrical bodies when the first and second cylindrical bodiesrotate in opposite directions about their respective longitudinal axes.

According to certain embodiments, methods of removing hair or bristlefrom skin or animal hides are provided. The methods can includeselecting a skin or animal hide having hair or bristle; and operatingany of the devices according to the present disclosure to remove hair orbristle from the skin or animal hide. In addition, skin or animal hideshaving hair or bristle removed according to such methods, along withprocessed products made from such skin or animal hides, are provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a device for animal hair removal, according tocertain embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device for animal hair removal,according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a device for animal hair removal, according tocertain embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a device for animal hair removal, according tocertain embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a device for animal hair removal, according tocertain embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of components of a device for animal hairremoval, according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a device for animal hair removal, according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a device for animal hair removal, according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the device ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the device of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to certain exemplary embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure, certain examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the samereference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts.

In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unlessspecifically stated otherwise. In this application, the use of “or”means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term“including”, as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included”,is not limiting. Any range described herein will be understood toinclude the endpoints and all values between the endpoints.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.All documents, or portions of documents, cited in this application,including but not limited to patents, patent applications, articles,books, and treatises, are hereby expressly incorporated by reference intheir entirety for any purpose.

As used herein, the terms “hair” and “bristle” will be usedinterchangeably to refer to animal hair or any hair-like structure thatgrows from animal skin.

Human and animal tissues can be used to produce a variety of tissueproducts for patient use. For example, human and animal dermis can beused to produce a variety of useful medical devices or tissue products.Such products can include, for example, reconstituted skin grafts andacellular tissue matrix products. Examples of such acellular tissuematrix products include ALLODERM®, which is a freeze-dried acellularhuman dermal tissue matrix, CYMETRA®, a particulate acellular humandermal tissue matrix, and STRATTICE™, a porcine acellular dermal matrix,all of which are produced by LifeCell Corporation, Branchburg, N.J.

In order to produce suitable tissue products from animal skin, it isnecessary to remove certain portions of the skin, including hair orbristles. However, manual removal of animal hair can be very timeconsuming. In addition, other known methods for removal of animal haircan adversely affect the underlying tissues, thereby rendering thetissues less effective when implanted in a patient. For example, in thefood industry, pig bristles are often removed using a process thatincludes scalding with hot liquids, and although that process iseffective, elevated temperatures can damage the underlying tissue bydenaturing or otherwise altering the extracellular matrix.

In addition, known methods for mechanical removal of hair or feathersfrom humans or other animals are not effective for removal of certainanimal hair. For example, typical waxes or other methods used tomechanically pluck hair from humans will not generate enough pullingforce to remove coarse, tightly bound bristles from animals such aspigs. Accordingly, there is a need for improved, efficient, and rapidmethods of removal of relatively large amounts of tightly bound hairfrom animals to allow further processing for production of medicaldevices, such as acellular tissue matrix products. In some embodiments,the methods allow removal of the entire hair, including plucking of theroot.

The devices and methods provide automated systems for removal of hair orbristles. The systems provide mechanical devices that include movingparts that create an elongated pinch point or region that produces acontinuous pulling force on hair or bristles positioned within the pinchpoint. The pinch point is designed to provide sufficient friction and/orpulling force to allow removal of coarse or tightly bound hairs.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a device 10 for removal of hair or bristlesfrom an animal. The device 10 comprises a first substantiallycylindrical body 22 having a longitudinal axis 42 and a secondsubstantially cylindrical body 26 having a longitudinal axis 50, whereinthe first cylindrical body 22 and second cylindrical body 26 arepositioned proximate to one another and can rotate about theirrespective longitudinal axes 42, 50 in opposite directions 46, 54. Thedevice 10 further comprises at least one flexible sheet of material 30wrapped about a portion of the first cylindrical body 22 in a firstdirection 46 about its longitudinal axis and also wrapped about aportion of the second cylindrical body 26 in a second direction 54opposite the first direction 46 such that as the first cylindrical body22 rotates in the first direction 46 about its longitudinal axis 42 andthe second cylindrical body 26 rotates in the second direction 54, anelongated pinch point 58 is formed between the flexible sheet ofmaterial 30 and the second cylindrical body 26. In certain embodiments,the elongated pinch point has a length 39 that provides gripping orpulling on hair over a length of the hair 18.

During operation, the device 10 can be used to remove hair or bristles18 from an animal's skin or hide 14. The hide 14 may have been removedfrom an animal carcass, as shown, or can still be attached to an animalcarcass. The hide 14 can be laid on a flat surface to allow the device10 to be passed over various regions of the hide 14 to remove bristles18 from the hide 14. Alternatively, the hide 14 can be positioned on amoving surface such as a conveyor belt (not shown). Further, in someembodiments, the pinch point 58 is directed upward/outward in anotherdirection, and the hide 14 is held, e.g., by an operator or machine,such that the bristles 18 contact the pinch point 58.

In general terms, the device 10 removes hair or bristles 18 by pinchingthe hair or bristles 18 at pinch point 58 while first cylindrical body22 and second cylindrical body 26 rotate about their respective axes 42,50 in opposite directions. Continued rotation of the cylindrical bodies22, 26 produces a pulling force on bristles 18 trapped within pinchpoint 58, thereby producing sufficient mechanical force to pull bristles18 free from hide 14. In certain embodiments, device 10 can generatesufficient force to pull entire bristles from hide 14, including thebristle roots.

In various embodiments, the surfaces 34, 38 and/or materials from whichthe cylindrical bodies 22, 26 and/or flexible sheet of material 30 aremade are configured to improve gripping and pulling of hair or bristles18. For example, in various embodiments, either or both of the first orsecond cylindrical bodies 22, 26, and/or flexible sheet of material 30,can have a textured surface configured to increase friction on bristles18. In certain embodiments, the textured surfaces 34, 38 of cylindricalbodies 22, 26 and/or flexible sheet of material 30 can comprise toothed,abrasive, or knobby surfaces. In some embodiments, a surface 38 ofsecond cylindrical body 26 can include teeth or textures configured tointerlock/interdigitate with the surface of flexible sheet 30. Incertain embodiments, the flexible sheet can include a compressiblepolymer or other compressible material, which may or may not have atextured surface 38.

The flexible sheet of material 30 can be produced from a variety ofdifferent materials having various configurations. For example, in someembodiments, a timing belt is used. For example, a suitable timing beltcan include a double-sided MXL timing belt, having approximately 1 mm-2mm pitch, but other timing belts with varying pitches can be used.Suitable belts can include, for example, a polyurethane belt, which maybe reinforced with KEVLAR® or nylon fibers. In other embodiments, theflexible sheet 30 is produced from a flexible polymeric material,flexible metal (e.g., steel ribbon), rubber (e.g., moderate durometerplactic/elastomer with or without reinforcement), sandpaper, emerycloth, or abrasive textiles. In addition, in some embodiments, the sheetof material 30 has a relatively smooth surface, but forms a texturedsurface due to underlying textures or teeth on the surface of firstcylindrical body 22. Further, the flexible sheet of material 30 can haveteeth and/or ridges on both sides, and such teeth and/or ridges canfacilitate gripping of one or more drive rollers or cylinders, asdescribed further below.

In addition, the cylindrical bodies 22, 26 (and additional cylindricalbodies described with reference to other embodiments below) can have avariety of configurations to improve gripping and pulling of hair orbristles. For example, the cylindrical bodies 22, 26 can generallyinclude any elongated roller produced from a hard metal, polymer,ceramic, or other suitable structural material. In addition, thecylindrical bodies 22, 26 can have a length, as measured along theirlongitudinal axes 42, 50 that is selected based on a particularapplication. For example, a small handheld device may have cylindricalbodies 22, 26 with a length of 1 to several inches. However, longercylindrical bodies 22, 26 may be used to allow hair removal from largerhides, and/or with more automated systems. For example, suitable lengthsmay be up to 3 feet, 4 feet, or longer depending on the size of the hide14 to be treated.

In addition, the diameters and relative positions of the cylindricalbodies 22, 26 can be selected based on the desired application. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, the cylindrical bodies 22, 26 are ofrelatively equal diameter, and the second cylindrical body 26 isslightly higher than first cylindrical body relative to a feed direction16 of the hide 14. However, in other embodiments, the cylindrical bodies22, 26 can by higher or lower relative to a feed direction, or can becoplanar relative to a feed direction.

The combination of the flexible sheet 30 and cylindrical bodies 22, 26can facilitate gripping and removal of hair. Specifically, the elongatedpinch point 58 can be configured to have a sufficient depth to allowgripping of hair over a desired length. For example, as shown in FIG. 1,the sheet 30 contacts the surface 38 of the second cylindrical body overa certain depth 39. The depth 39 provides an extended gripping length toallow secure gripping and pulling of hairs, which could not be pulledusing rollers alone.

In some embodiments, the diameters of cylindrical bodies can be selectedto allow removal of hair having a minimum length. For example, as shownin FIGS. 1-4 and 6-7, rollers 22, 26 are of approximately equal diameterand can include a diameter of 0.2-0.5 in., 0.2-0.4 in., about 0.3-0.35in., or any values within those ranges. Further, the specific sizes canbe varied based on the length and coarseness of hair to be removed. Forexample, for longer and/or more coarse hair, larger rollers may be used,and for smaller and/or finer hairs, smaller rollers may be used. Incertain embodiments, the roller sizes are selected based on a minimumbristle length to be removed. For example, with equally sized rollers,the minimum bristle length can be estimated as approximately two timesthe pitch of a timing belt used for flexible sheet 30, but those valuesmay vary based on material used for flexible sheet 30 and other designconsiderations.

The device 10 can be powered in a number of ways. For example, mostgenerally, the cylindrical bodies 22, 26 will simply need to rotate inopposite directions 46, 54 relative to their respective longitudinalaxes to produce a pulling force along the elongated pinch point 58between the flexible sheet 30 and the second cylindrical body 26,thereby ejecting pulled hairs 66. This may be accomplished by drivingone or both of the cylindrical bodies 22, 26 with a motor to move thebodies and flexible sheet and/or by movement of the flexible sheets,e.g., by connections at distal portions 62, 64 on flexible sheet to movethe sheet and cylindrical bodies 22, 26 (e.g., in a back-and-forthmotion or through a loop described further below).

In certain embodiments, the device 10 includes one or more additionalcylindrical bodies such that the flexible sheet 30 forms a loop forcontinuous movements. For example, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of adevice for animal hair removal, according to another exemplaryembodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the device 10 further comprises at leastone additional cylindrical body 70 contacting the flexible sheet.Further, the additional cylindrical body 70 includes a longitudinal axis78 about which the additional cylindrical body 70 can rotate in adirection 82. The flexible sheet 30 is in contact with the surface ofthe additional cylindrical body 70 such that the flexible sheet forms aloop that is in contact with each of the first cylindrical body 22,second cylindrical body 26, and at least one additional cylindrical body70.

In some embodiments, the additional cylindrical body 70 will have adiameter that is greater than the diameters of the first 22 and second26 cylindrical bodies. In addition, the additional cylindrical body 70may be operatively connected to a motor or other drive mechanism tocause movement of the flexible sheet 30 and rotation of the first 22 andsecond 26 cylindrical bodies, to produce a pulling force at an elongatedpinch point 58. The relative sizes of each of the cylindrical bodies 22,26, 70 may be selected to control machine performance, e.g., to providemechanical advantage to the cylindrical bodies attached to a motor ordrive mechanism and/or to control the gripping force and/or dimensionsof the pinch point 58.

The device 10 may further include various additional components tofacilitate efficient, rapid, and/or automatic hair or bristle removal.For example, FIG. 3 is a side view of a device for animal hair removal,according to certain embodiments. As shown, the device of FIG. 3 issimilar to the device of FIG. 2, but further includes a vacuum system 86for automatic removal of ejected hair or bristles 66 during deviceoperation.

In addition, the devices of the present disclosure can include systemsfor automatic movement or feeding of hides 14 to allow automated orsemi-automated processing. For example, FIG. 4 is a side view of adevice 10′ for animal hair removal, according to certain embodiments.Device 10′ of FIG. 4 is similar to device 10 of FIGS. 2 and 3. However,device 10′ has been modified, such that the additional cylindrical body70′ is positioned to act as both a drive-roller and a feeding mechanism.Specifically, by rotation about its axis 78′ in a first direction 82′,the cylindrical body 70′ drives movement of the flexible sheet 30 andfirst and second cylindrical bodies 22, 26 to allow capture and removalof bristles 18 at pinch point 58. In addition, cylindrical body 70′ ispositioned such that its movement draws hide 14 through device 10′,thereby providing an automatic feed mechanism in a feed direction 16.The hide may also be moved using an automated feed system such as aconveyor belt.

As described above, the cylindrical body 70′ and/or any othercylindrical bodies (see, e.g., FIG. 5) can be operatively connected to amotor 94 or other drive mechanism to provide power to device 10′ (or anyother devices described with reference to the various figures). Avariety of suitable power sources or motors 94 can be used, includingfor example, an electric or gas-powered motor. In general, the powersource 94 and configuration of cylindrical bodies 22, 26, 70, 70′ (andor other cylindrical bodies, if any) will be selected to produce asufficient pulling force at elongated pinch point 58 to allow removal ofa desired type or thickness of hair. For example, for pig bristle orother coarse animal hair, a sufficient torque should be produced toprovide at least 20 lbs. of pulling force per inch along the length ofpinch point 58. However, the amount of force needed can vary based onthe density of hair to be removed, speed of removal, and/or coarsenessof hair. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the force produced at thepinch point can be between about 8 lbs. per inch to about 35 lbs. perinch. In various embodiments, the force can be between 8 lbs. per inchto 20 lbs per inch, between 15 lbs. per inch to 20 lbs per inch, between20 lbs. per inch to 30 lbs per inch, between 30 lbs. per inch to 25 lbsper inch, at least 10 lbs. per inch, at least 15 lbs. per inch, at least20 lbs. per inch, at least 25 lbs. per inch, at least 30 lbs. per inch,at least 35 lbs. per inch, or at least 40 lbs. per inch.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a device for animal hair removal, according tocertain embodiments. The device 10″ illustrates several other variationsthat may be incorporated in the devices 10, 10′, described above. Asnoted above, in some embodiments, the hide 14 can be placed on a flatsurface such as a table or conveyor belt during hair or bristle removal.However, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to alter the shape ofthe hide 14 to assist in presenting the hair or bristle for removal. Forexample, in some embodiments, the hide 14 may be bent and/or biasedtowards a pinch point during hair removal. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the device 10″ (or 10, 10′, or other devices andembodiments described herein) may include a rod member 100 positionedproximate the elongated pinch point 58′ and extending substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axes of the first 22′ and second 26′cylindrical bodies. During hair or bristle removal, the hide 14 may bebent over the rod member 100 to more fully expose bristles 18.

The rod member 100 can include a variety of shapes, but will generallyinclude a relatively low diameter cylindrical rod, which may berotatable about its longitudinal axis 101. Further, in order to maintainthe hide in contact with the pinch point 58′, the rod member 100 caninclude a biasing mechanism 104, such as a spring. In some embodiments,the rod member 100 can be configured to rotate or roll along an axis101, and the hide 14 can be pulled or fed along a direction 16′, toallow remove of bristles along the hide 14.

In addition, FIG. 5 illustrates various other features that may beincluded in device 10″. For example, as noted above, the firstcylindrical body 22′ and second cylindrical body 26′ may have differentdiameter. Specifically, as shown, the first cylindrical body 22′ has adiameter that is less than a diameter of the second cylindrical body26′. In various embodiments, the diameters of the cylindrical bodies 22′and 26′ are selected to allow gripping and removal of hairs with asshort of a length as possible. For example, in one suitable embodiment,first cylindrical body 22′ has a diameter of about ⅛ in. to about 3/16in., and second cylindrical body has a diameter of about ⅜ in. to about0.5 in. Further, the specific sizes can be varied based on the lengthand coarseness of hair to be removed. For example, for longer and/ormore coarse hair, larger rollers may be used, and for smaller and/orfiner hairs, smaller rollers may be used. In certain embodiments, theroller sizes are selected based on a minimum bristle length to beremoved. For example, with a smaller roller 22′ and larger roller 26′,the lower limit of hair length that can be removed will be about ⅔ thediameter of the smaller roller 22′, but those values may vary based onmaterial used for flexible sheet 30 and other design considerations.

Further, as noted above, device 10″ can include one or more additionalcylindrical bodies 26″ and 116. As shown, one additional or thirdcylindrical body 26″ is positioned opposite second cylindrical body 26′with respect to first cylindrical body 22′. In some embodiments, the twobodies 26′, 26″ positioned on opposite sides of the first cylindricalbody 22′ act as driver rollers, and are operatively connected to a motorto power device 10′. Both bodies 26′ and 26″ rotate in a commondirection, 54′, 54″ about axes 50, 50″ to drive the device 10′.

In addition, two additional cylindrical bodies 116 are provided. Theadditional cylindrical bodies 116 are in contact with the flexible sheet30 and can rotate in a first direction 120 about their longitudinal axes112, which is the same as the direction of rotation 56 of first body22′. In some embodiments, the additional bodies 116 act to providetension to the flexible sheet 30 to ensure adequate contact with theother cylindrical bodies. In some embodiments, the at least twoadditional cylindrical bodies 116 have an adjustable position withrespect to the first, second, and third cylindrical bodies 22′, 26′, 26″to allow control of the tension in the flexible sheet 30.

In some embodiments, devices 10, 10′, 10″, or 10″' (FIG. 6) can includemultiple sheets of flexible material to produce elongated pinch pointsfor hair or bristle removal. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, sheet 30can be formed from multiple sheets 31 positioned side by side andwrapped about the respective cylindrical bodies in the same manner.(FIG.6).

In other embodiments, the devices can include multiple sheets wrapped invarying arrangements. For example, FIG. 6 is a perspective view ofcomponents of a device for animal hair removal, according to certainembodiments. As shown, the device 10″' of FIG. 6, is similar to thedevice 10 of FIG. 2, but includes multiple sheets 30-33 wrapped indifferent directions relative to the axes of the cylindrical bodies 22,26. Specifically, the device 10″' includes at least one first sheet 30,32 wrapped about a portion of a first cylindrical body 22 in a firstdirection 46 and also wrapped about a portion of a second cylindricalbody 26 in a second direction 54 such that as the first cylindrical body22 rotates in the first direction 46 and the second cylindrical body 26rotates in the second direction 54, one or more elongated pinch points58 are formed between the flexible sheet of material 58 and the secondcylindrical body 26.

In addition, the device 10″' further includes at least one additionalflexible sheet of material 31, 33 wrapped about a portion of the firstcylindrical body 22 in the second direction 54 and also wrapped about aportion of the second cylindrical body in the first direction 46 suchthat as the first cylindrical body 22 rotates in the first direction 46and the second cylindrical body 26 rotates in the second direction 54,at least one additional elongated pinch point 59 is formed between theflexible sheet 31, 33 and the first cylindrical body. As describedabove, the pinch points 58, 59 can be designed to have a sufficientdepth 39, 39′ to allow gripping of hair or bristles over an extendedlength on the hair or bristles.

As described with respect to various embodiments above, the device 10″′of FIG. 6 can also include a number of additional cylindrical bodies108. The flexible sheets of material 30-33 can be wrapped around theadditional cylindrical bodies 108 to form a loop(s). The cylindricalbodies 108 can further be operatively connected to a drive mechanism,such as an electric motor, so that rotation of either or both of theadditional cylindrical bodies 108 with provide power to device 10″′. Inaddition, as described above, one or both of cylindrical bodies 108 canhave an adjustable position with respect to first and second cylindricalbodies 22, 26 to allow adjustment of tension in the flexible sheets ofmaterial 30-33.

In some embodiments, multiple flexible sheets can be used to produce apinch point for hair or bristle removal. For example, FIG. 7 is a sideview of a device 200 for animal hair removal, according to anotherexemplary embodiment. As shown, the device 200 can include a firstcylindrical body 122 having a longitudinal axis 142 and a secondcylindrical body 126 having a longitudinal axis 150, wherein the firstcylindrical body 122 and second cylindrical body 126 are positionedproximate to one another and can rotate about their respectivelongitudinal axes 142, 150 in opposite directions 146, 154. The devicecan also include a first flexible sheet of material 130 wrapped about aportion of the first cylindrical body 122 and a second flexible sheet ofmaterial 131 wrapped about a portion of the second cylindrical body 126to form an elongated pinch point 158 (extending into the page of FIG.7). The elongated pinch point 158 can produce a pulling force on anobject positioned between the first 122 and second 126 cylindricalbodies as the first 122 and second 126 cylindrical bodies rotate inopposite directions 146, 154 about their respective longitudinal axes.

In addition, as described with reference to other embodiments, theelongated pinch point 158 can be designed to have a certain depth, toallow gripping of hair or bristles over an extended length.Specifically, as shown, the device 200 is configured to provide a pinchpoint 158 with a certain depth 139 formed between sheets 130, 131.

In certain embodiments, the flexible sheets 130, 131 have a texturedsurface selected to improve gripping and pulling of animal hair orbristles 18 from an animal hide 14. For example, in various embodiments,the textured surfaces 132, 132′ are interlocking toothed surfaces.

As with other embodiments described above, the device 200 can furtherinclude additional cylindrical bodies to produce rotating loops ofsheets 130, 132, to attach to a power source to drive device 200, and/orto allow control of the tension in sheets 130, 131. For example, in someembodiments, the device 200 further includes a third cylindrical body160, wherein the first flexible sheet 130 forms a loop between the firstcylindrical body 122 and the third cylindrical body 160. In addition,the device can include a fourth cylindrical body 170, wherein the secondflexible sheet 131 forms a loop between the second cylindrical body 126and the fourth cylindrical body 170. As the third and fourth cylindricalbodies 160, 170 rotate in opposite directions 161, 171 about theirrespective axes 164, 174 the loops formed by sheets 130, 131 drive themotion of the first and second cylindrical bodies 122, 126. In someembodiments, one or both of third and fourth cylindrical bodies 160, 170are operatively connected to a power source. In some embodiments, thepower source is configured to rotate the cylindrical bodies and producea torque sufficient to generate at least 20 lbs. per inch along theelongated pinch point 158.

The present disclosure also provides devices for removing hair withoutuse of a flexible sheet. For example, FIG. 8 is a side view of a device210 for animal hair removal, according to another exemplary embodiment.FIG. 9. is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of the device200, and FIG. 10. is an enlarged side view of the end portion of thedevice 200. As shown, the device 210 comprises a guide member 214 havinga substantially flat, rigid lower surface 215 and a leading forward edge216 (shown in FIG. 10). In some embodiments, the leading forward edge216 has bottom portion 218 comprising a sharp angle (e.g., 80-90°,70-90°, or any values within those ranges) and a top portion 220comprising a blunt curve 222 directed away from the leading forward edge216. The device 210 further includes at least one gripping surface 228that is rotatably mobile such that the gripping surface 228 passesproximate to the blunt curve 222 of the top surface 220 to form a pinchregion 234 (as shown in FIG. 10) between a top surface 236 of the guidemember 214 and the gripping surface 228. For example, as shown, thedevice 210 can include a rotatable wheel 224 having a plurality ofgripping surfaces 228, which may be approximately evenly spaced about anaxis 240 of the wheel 224. The wheel 224 can rotate about the axis 240to allow continuous pulling of hair at pinch region 234.

The at least one gripping surface 228 can be configured to providesufficient friction or gripping force to allow hair or bristle trappedat the pinch region 234 to be pulled from a hide 14. For example, insome embodiments, the at least one gripping surface 228 comprises atextured surface. Further, to provide durability, the surfaces can beproduced from a hard metal such as a textured steel. In addition, thetop surface 220 of the guide member 214 can comprise a smooth metalsurface to allow bristles 18 to be smoothly pulled into pinch region234. Further, the dimensions of the gripping surface 228 and top surface236 can be selected such that the pinch region 234 has a certain depth239 to provide gripping of hair or bristles over a certain length.

As noted above, the devices of the present disclosure can be passedalong the surface of a hide to allow removal of hair or bristles fromthe hide. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to move the hide ordevices in a certain direction with respect to one another. For example,it may be beneficial or more efficient to move the devices or hide suchthat the devices move against the grain of hair or bristles to assist inexposing hairs to and capturing hairs at pinch points formed in thedevices. In addition, the devices can include two or more sets ofdevices arranged in series. In some embodiments, the devices arranged inseries can be aligned in opposite orientations to allow efficientcapture of hairs or bristles growing in varying directions. In certainembodiments, two or more devices are used to allow removal of hair ofvarying lengths. For example, in certain embodiments, a first devicehaving a larger roller diameter is used to remove large and/or coarsehair. In certain embodiments, a second device having smaller rollers isused to remove hair having a shorter length and/or reduced density. Incertain embodiments, multiple devices are used to remove hairs ofmultiple lengths. In some embodiments, two or more devices areincorporated into a single machine. In other embodiments, the multipledevices are provided as separate machines.

According to certain embodiments, methods of removing hair or bristlefrom skin or animal hides are provided. The methods can includeselecting a skin or animal hide having hair or bristle; and operatingany of the devices according to the present disclosure, as describedabove, in the figures, or in the claims, to remove hair or bristle fromthe skin or animal hide. In addition, skin or animal hides having hairor bristle removed according to such methods, along with processedproducts made from such skin or animal hides, are provided.

It will be understood that the above description of preferredembodiments is given by way of example only and that variousmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The abovespecification, examples and data provide a complete description of thestructure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Althoughvarious embodiments of the invention have been described above with acertain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or moreindividual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerousalterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from thescope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for removal of hair or bristles from ananimal, comprising: a first cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis;a second cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, wherein the firstcylindrical body and second cylindrical body are positioned proximate toone another and can rotate about their respective longitudinal axes; anda third cylindrical body having a diameter that is less than a diameterof each of the first and second cylindrical bodies and is positionedbetween the first and second cylindrical bodies; at least one flexiblesheet of material wrapped about a portion of the first cylindrical bodyin a first direction relative to the longitudinal axes of thecylindrical bodies and also wrapped about a portion of the secondcylindrical body in a second direction opposite the first direction suchthat as the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical bodyrotate about their longitudinal axes, an elongated pinch point is formedbetween the flexible sheet and the second cylindrical body.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the second cylindrical body comprises asurface including teeth.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondcylindrical body comprises a textured surface.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the flexible sheet comprises a surface including teeth.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the wherein the flexible sheet comprises atextured surface.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the thirdcylindrical body comprises a surface including teeth.
 7. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the third cylindrical body comprises a texturedsurface.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least twoadditional cylindrical bodies, each in contact with the flexible sheetand capable of rotating about their longitudinal axes.
 9. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the at least two additional cylindrical bodies have anadjustable position with respect to the first and second cylindricalbodies.
 10. The device of claim 1, further including a rod memberpositioned proximate the elongated pinch point and extendingsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first and secondcylindrical bodies.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the rod memberincludes a cylindrical rod.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein thecylindrical rod has a longitudinal axis about which the cylindrical rodcan rotate.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the rod member isoperatively engaged with a spring member configured to bias the rodmember towards the elongated pinch point.
 14. The device of claim 1,wherein the at least one additional cylindrical body includes at leasttwo cylindrical bodies, each in contact with the flexible sheet andcapable of rotating clockwise about their longitudinal axis.
 15. Thedevice of claim 1, further including a power source operativelyconnected to at least one of the cylindrical bodies to rotate thecylindrical bodies about their longitudinal axes.
 16. The device ofclaim 15, wherein the power source is configured to rotate thecylindrical bodies and produce a torque sufficient to generate at least20 pounds per inch along the elongated pinch point.
 17. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one flexible sheet of material comprisesmultiple flexible sheets of material positioned proximate one another.18. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet contacts thesurface of the second cylindrical body over at least 120° of acircumference of the second cylindrical body.
 19. The device of claim 1,wherein the flexible sheet forms a continuous loop around the thirdcylindrical body and at least one additional cylindrical body.